Lionel Messi: What makes PSG star's dribbling so unstoppable? | OneFootball

Lionel Messi is revered as one of the greatest dribblers in professional football's long history.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar rarely uses garish skill moves to beat an opponent, instead relying on the lethal combination of lightning-quick feet and a low centre of gravity.

We can't actually recall a time where Messi has performed the stepover or a similar move out on the pitch, yet he breezes past people with almost frightening regularity.

Even at the age of 35, the 2022 World Cup winner defeats far younger players with his obscene dribbling ability.

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So why is Messi near enough unstoppable while running with the ball? Well, there are a number of reasons, with one of the most interesting of the lot highlighted in a magnificent viral video clip.

The footage has earned some huge numbers on Twitter and after watching, it's very easy to understand why.

In the short video clip from a match between Argentina and Venezuela, which is in slow-motion for ultimate impact, Messi's unique trait is revealed - and it's rather spectacular.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - DECEMBER 20: Lionel Messi holds the FIFA World Cup during the arrival of the Argentina men's national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 20, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is able to take a step forward without using the support of his left foot, which makes him look like he's walking on thin air for a very brief amount of time.

It might sound small or insignificant in word form, but trust us when we say the visual evidence illustrates the absurdity of it all.

Check out the Messi clip here...

Video: Messi's unique skill when dribbling with the ball

Pretty mind-blowing, right? No wonder footballers are so often left in a heap on the turf by Messi, like the Venezuela player in the video itself.

The guy is a once in a lifetime athlete and now that he's 35, it's advised to just sit back and enjoy the remaining years of his career.

Will Messi extend his stay at PSG?

Messi's current deal at PSG is set to expire in the summer, having joined the club from Barcelona in the summer of 2021.

But there have been widespread reports detailing that he will soon extend his stay in the French capital.

“We are in talks with Leo Messi as we want to extend his contract," PSG director Luis Campos has told Telefoot, per Fabrizio Romano. “I’d like to keep him in this project. We are talking now to achieve this goal and continue to have Messi with us."